The city's department of transportation has released a guide to help community groups implement low-cost 'tactical urbanism' projects.

Atlanta is encouraging community groups to use 'tactical urbanism' interventions to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at the hyper-local level. As Jason Plautz describes in Smart Cities Dive, "Betty Smoot-Madison, mobility planning director for the Atlanta Department of Transportation, said the tactical urbanism projects are a 'lower-cost and shorter-term' way to meet the city’s overarching goal of 'reimagining and re-engineering our roads around people.'"
'Tactical urbanism' refers to low-cost, temporary, infrastructure interventions by community organizations or other local actors that address street safety, walkability, and mobility issues. The updated guide adds six project options to the city's 2020 tactical urbanism guide: "tactical slip lane closures, demonstration bike lanes, tactical bus stop enhancements, pedestrian space art and lane narrowing." The temporary projects could lead to permanent changes if successful, according to Smoot-Madison.
"The projects also help engage community members around their own priorities; while the city may have to focus on high-traffic corridors and major streets, neighborhood groups have a better sense of the dangers at local intersections that may receive less attention."
Other cities have implemented similar initiatives. "Denver, for example, has launched the vision zero community program to encourage traffic calming and public art. Columbus, Ohio, has used temporary bollards and painting to test design changes at dangerous intersections."
FULL STORY: Atlanta embraces tactical urbanism in Vision Zero initiative

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts
Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City
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‘Bus Revolution’ Revised in Philadelphia
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Hudson Valley City Bans Fossil Fuels in New Construction
Beacon will require all-electric appliances in new buildings starting next year.

Mapping Sidewalks for Improved Connectivity
A new tool uses aerial image recognition to map a city’s sidewalks and crosswalks. Its developers hope it will aid in creating a more comprehensive understanding of pedestrian networks and where improvements are needed.
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City of Greenville
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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